Note: This was a previous review that I've done, and there are a few others I will be posting at some point today. Hope you enjoy, and feedback via reply or PM is always welcomed.
Alec Bradley Prensado
Size: Torpedo (6.1x52)
Wrapper: Honduran Trojes Corojo
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Honduran Trojes, Nicaraguan
Price: $10.50 - B&M Purchase.
Appearance: The wrapper is a nice dark brown color, with some hints of black marbling over the surface of the leaf. There are a few large veins on the wrapper, but for the most part it is smooth and clean. The Prensado are all boxed pressed.
Pre-Light The cigar is firm from the half way point to the cap, but a bit softer when squeezed near the foot of the cigar.
Aroma: The wrapper gives off the smell of hay, backed by some sweet floral hints and a touch of leather. The foot gives off a nice soil and leather combination, lacking the sweetness provided by the wrapper.
Cold Draw: The cold draw is a little snug. The primary flavor here is slightly sweetened hay, and some earthy soil tones right behind it. There is a small hint of spice in the background also.
1st: Initial draw gives a nice bit of pepper. The strength fades into more of a spice that doesn't linger on the palate. Still a touch of sweetness here, and leather is most prominent. Dark tobacco comes in shortly, and becomes the dominating flavor. The first third remains a prominent dark tobacco, with only hints of the leather presented initially. The retrohale offers up some nice spice hints, as well as some cedar playing in the background.
2nd: The spice is smooth, and remains a mild background flavor here. A touch of cinnamon presents itself, but is cloaked rather heavily by that dark tobacco flavor. The retrohale here offers up stronger spices, and the cedar is coming out heavily in the nose as well.
3rd: The profile remains the same here, tobacco backed by spice. There are still some hints of leather and the occassional bite of cedar but they are faint background players. The tobacco and spice have toned down to a medium level here, less upfront in their flavor than in the first and second.
Impressions: The Prensado was awarded the 2011 Cigar of the Year award, and seems fairly highly rated across various platforms. - I try not to go into a cigar rated highly with expectations, but I was a little disappointed in the Prensado. I don't have a ton of experience with Alec Bradley, but I can say I enjoyed the Black Market far more than this cigar. The burn was spot on and never faltered, and the cigar has a very nice appearance to it overall.. The flavors just seemed a bit flat and remained one sided throughout the entire cigar.
Alec Bradley Prensado
Size: Torpedo (6.1x52)
Wrapper: Honduran Trojes Corojo
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Honduran Trojes, Nicaraguan
Price: $10.50 - B&M Purchase.
Appearance: The wrapper is a nice dark brown color, with some hints of black marbling over the surface of the leaf. There are a few large veins on the wrapper, but for the most part it is smooth and clean. The Prensado are all boxed pressed.
Pre-Light The cigar is firm from the half way point to the cap, but a bit softer when squeezed near the foot of the cigar.
Aroma: The wrapper gives off the smell of hay, backed by some sweet floral hints and a touch of leather. The foot gives off a nice soil and leather combination, lacking the sweetness provided by the wrapper.
Cold Draw: The cold draw is a little snug. The primary flavor here is slightly sweetened hay, and some earthy soil tones right behind it. There is a small hint of spice in the background also.
1st: Initial draw gives a nice bit of pepper. The strength fades into more of a spice that doesn't linger on the palate. Still a touch of sweetness here, and leather is most prominent. Dark tobacco comes in shortly, and becomes the dominating flavor. The first third remains a prominent dark tobacco, with only hints of the leather presented initially. The retrohale offers up some nice spice hints, as well as some cedar playing in the background.
2nd: The spice is smooth, and remains a mild background flavor here. A touch of cinnamon presents itself, but is cloaked rather heavily by that dark tobacco flavor. The retrohale here offers up stronger spices, and the cedar is coming out heavily in the nose as well.
3rd: The profile remains the same here, tobacco backed by spice. There are still some hints of leather and the occassional bite of cedar but they are faint background players. The tobacco and spice have toned down to a medium level here, less upfront in their flavor than in the first and second.
Impressions: The Prensado was awarded the 2011 Cigar of the Year award, and seems fairly highly rated across various platforms. - I try not to go into a cigar rated highly with expectations, but I was a little disappointed in the Prensado. I don't have a ton of experience with Alec Bradley, but I can say I enjoyed the Black Market far more than this cigar. The burn was spot on and never faltered, and the cigar has a very nice appearance to it overall.. The flavors just seemed a bit flat and remained one sided throughout the entire cigar.